Sunday, March 5, 2017

Why We're Not Boycotting Beauty and the Beast

I mean, in the cartoon version. LeFou seemed pretty infatuated with Gaston. So I wasn't surprised to hear that he was gay and it didn't bother me in the least. Love is love in this home. I completely get that people have their own religious beliefs--it's their right--but it's also my right to think it's ridiculous. I'm raising my kids to accept other people. Gay, straight, bi...people are people.

Here's why we could never boycott Beauty and the Beast:

1. Belle loves books. I love books. I have books all over the house to the point where my husband is all, "Did you buy another book? I thought you said you weren't buying anymore books!" Some women have a shoe buying problem. I have a book buying problem.

2. I love the plot! Cranky hairy beast-dude is all, "Woe is me, no one will love my hairy self," and then here comes accepting Belle. Sort of like how I'm raising my children to be accepting.

3. The songs are amazing. I'm going to pretend Ariana Grande isn't singing the iconic Beauty and the Beast song. She's not my taste. At all. I'll just listen to the Mrs. Potts version. I used to listen to the soundtrack over and over as a kid. I was terribly off key, but I'd still be like, "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere...I want it more than I can tell....and for once it might be grand, to have someone understand, I want so much more than they have planned..." My friends would be like, "Please stop singing! Our ears!" Ironically my kids tell me the same thing.

4. I love that the dishes sing. I wish my dishes would sing. And clean themselves.

5. Belle is such an amazing character. Not only does she love books, she's genuinely kind. She inspired Enchanted Tales with Belle at Disney World, and was so sweet to my daughter, who was playing the part of her Daddy Maurice.

5. The ending still excites me even though I know what will happen. I tear up. Each and every time.

We are absolutely excited to see this movie and would never think to boycott it over the fact that a man has a crush on another man. It's life. It happens. Like Belle was to the Beast, we need to be accepting.

72 comments:

Yes!!! 100% yes!!!! The thought that anyone is boycotting this movie is just beyond ridiculous. It seems that there are always groups that want to be angry about something, to me to be mad about this is just petty.

People are over thinking this. Were they planning on telling their kids that Belle and the Beast are now about to do the horizontal Mambo too? No? My kids will likely give about 2 seconds worth of thought to La Fou before they move on to something else. If they do notice though, they won't think anything of it because my kids know that men and women are "allowed" to marry whoever they choose. I'm not going to hide it from them like it's a unicorn or teach them that it's wrong because I think that's BS.

This is pretty much exactly what I would have said if I hadn't seen this comment - except for the 50 Shades part, because domestic abuse is not romantic. But I'm a Christian too, and I'm going to see this movie too. My children know about the gay lifestyle, and even though they've been taught according to our Bible that "being gay" is not what God planned for us as humans, they are also being taught according to our Bible that Jesus loved all the people, imperfect as we all are - and that he would want us to love all the people too. It isn't our place to judge; he told us to love.

Absolutely I will be seeing this movie. Going by myself! I love that they have included a gay character. It's about damn time Disney got with the program. I have no problem with Ariana Grande I think she has a lovely singing voice.

It's literally a kids film. Is it really that deep? I get so annoyed when people go on and on about trivial things like this - make an actual difference and donate your time to charities and worthy causes! Xx

I am so sick of this blowhards. So what, kids don;t k now the difference, they just think he was a happy guy. Its people like this guy, who make kids question whether someone is "different" or not. Give me a break.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories. Belle is my favorite Disney princess. But I am disappointed in what I've seen till know from this movie. The cartoon version of this movie it's amazing, the contrast between Belle and Beast, the well-designed objects from the house, the animation, the handsome Gaston, everything. I just love it. But here, I don't like the characters. Gaston is not handsome in my opinion, and Beast is to human. So I think I will not go to see this movie at the cinema, or at an expensive one, cause we have two types of cinema in my city, cheap and expensive, because they destroyed the Beast for me, not because there is a gay story.

I'm not boycotting the movie although I believe same sex relationships offend the God of the Bible. While Im not boycotting it, I'm not going to see it mainly because my kids are too old. I watched the animated version as a child and definitely have had conversations with my kids about our faith and what we believe about relationships. I think it's another great opportunity for conversations in homes.

I completely support your views! It's rather silly to boycott a movie because of certain characters' preferences. Love isn't defined by gender or boundaries and this is the message we should be sending out into the world!

I don't agree with the boycott either. If you don't think your child is old enough for the subject matter that's one thing. But like you said love is love and we need to be looking for more ways to unify rather than the opposite.

I just heard about this issue this morning and laughed at it. Not because it wasn't serious but because we live in a time when things like sexual orientation shouldn't matter unless advances are being made against your approval. Richard B.

I saw a post about this on Facebook that was SO negative and I was just angered at the small minds of some people. YET everyone is entitled to their opinion. I let my anger go because I refuse to let others rule my mind. Bless you for being a kind person who is teaching their children about love and equality!

I've been waiting forever to see this and a gay plot line is the least of my worries. I'm more concerned about how the songs will sound with different voices, rhythms, etc. Or how scary the wolf attack will be...

I agree completely,the fact that people are boycotting the new movie is just pure craziness! It is a great thing that you teach your children to love everyone gay, straight, bi, etc, that is the beauty of living in this world.

I don't know why people are doing crazy things of late.It's very important to teach everyone that humans are humans irrespective of gay,bi etc. Definitely I am gonna watch beauty and the beast.Shreya|https://mymagicaltrunk.com/

I went to the We All Grow Summit and got to be in the first group to ever screen the movie. I was super excited, and not bothered in the least that LeFou is gay. Everyone likes to be represented on the screen, and it was going to happen sooner or later. Of course, I'm not gay, but I am respectful of those who have different attractions. People are people, like you said, and we all deserve love and empathy. Enough said. BTW - you will cry tons more than in the cartoon version. Do yourself a favor and bring tissues. lol

Is this for real? It's kind of alarming, really. I will never boycott a movie just because a character or an actor/actress is gay. I mean, come on! We've gone so far and now we're like going back to the dark ages. Jeez, this is petty.

This is just so alarming. The amount of hate that people create online is just so disappointing. It's low to think that people would actually want to boycott such a film. Anyway, I love Beauty and the Beast and I also happen to love gays, they're great people!

I cannot believe people are boycotting Beauty and the Beast! I wish people would have more love for other people. Personally, I am so excited for this movie and I already got my tickets weeks in advance. I am so happy to read that you are teaching your kids the importance of equality and treating every person with respect. ~Crissywww.whimsicalfawn.com

I plan on seeing this movie as soon as possible because I am way too excited to boycott over something I find ridiculous. I actually heard that while yes, they make him more openly gay in this retelling, it is STILL not like in your face gayness that so many people think it will be. It is a small piece of a large movie... no bother to me what so ever.

I think this 'gay moment' is even more of a reason to watch the movie (though I'd watch it either way as I love Disney movies) as it teaches kids that gay bi hetero doesn't matter. They need to grow up in a less judgmental world and the kids are the adults of the future.

For those who are boycotting I wonder how many of those watch "This is Us" or any other program which also has characters which are gay. Obviously, they have a choice to go or not go but the fact is before condemning other people sometimes you have to do your own soul-searching to see why it bothers you so much. When we develop the attitude of I am better than you are, it is time for you to go back and read your Bible and see what Jesus has to say about love.

I'm THRILLED to see this! It was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up! I saw something funny on Twitter that said, "A beast steals an old lady and forces her to marry him and having a gay character is why you won't watch this movie?!"

I really want to see it. I'm just tired of the hypocrisy of the boycott. So, people are boycotting the movie because of a gay character. They have no trouble with a beast caging Belle and forcing her to stay with him. They have no trouble with Belle being romanced by an inhuman beast. I know a mom who wouldn't let her children watch shows with witches but had no problem with them watching Disney movies with witches and other magical creatures. It's ridiculous! There are a number of folks who watched the cartoon version and had no problem with the character. But since he's singing the same song but official word is that the character is gay sets people off. smh

I didn't even know that there was a new beauty and the beast movie! I don't really understand why they would boycott it because of a character.. it is 2017 people!! I am looking forward to seeing this movie now.

I will definitely be seeing this Disney Classic. This was one of my daughter's favorites as a child. I actually secretly still watch VHS and DVD's that I have kept from her childhood because I love them too. I have never understood those who feel like they must ruin it for everyone else. If you are not happy with what's playin in radio, TV, or movies, then change the station, turn it off, or don't go and see it.

*sigh* i hate what they done to my favorite Disney film. Emma Watson acting is always soo wooden and I hate the cgi beast. The reviews hasn't been too favorable either. *sigh* I might give this a miss. xx

This is such a great post and I totally agree with you Amber! I find it ridiculous too!! I also taught my children to love everyone as long as they are respectful and have a kind heart and soul. You are such an amazing mom and your daughter is too adorable! :)

That whole boycotting Beauty in the Beast was ridiculous! I don't get it why it's such a big deal. People are people it shouldn't affect us personally if someone is differnt from us. I actually watched the movie last night and got the feel that Lafou was actually obsessed with Gaston, because he wanted to be like him. I didn't get a "gay" vibe off him. But even if I did... it wouldn't make a difference. It's a shame if parents ban their child from going to watch the movie due to this fact alone..